Man charged with missing vet murder

Oct 19 2012

A man has been charged with the murder of missing vet Catherine Gowing.

Ms Gowing, 37, has been missing since she failed to arrive at work at the Evans Veterinary Practice in Mold, North Wales, on Monday. Clive Sharpe, 46, from Bethesda, Gwynedd, will appear before Mold magistrates on Saturday morning, said the Crown Prosecution Service.

Speaking at North Wales Police HQ in Colwyn Bay, Karen Dixon, district Crown Prosecutor, said: "The CPS has been in close contact with North Wales Police as their investigation into Catherine Gowing's disappearance has developed.

"We can now confirm that, having carefully carried out a detailed review of the evidence gathered so far, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge Clive Sharpe with the murder of Catherine Gowing and it is in the public interest to do so.

"Accordingly we have authorised North Wales Police to charge the defendant and he will appear before Mold Magistrates tomorrow morning. This is an extremely serious criminal charge and the police investigation continues."

Earlier on Friday, police revealed they had found Ms Gowing's burned out car in woodland close to a disused quarry and quarry pool. It was found around in Pinfold Lane, Alltami, around two miles from her home in New Brighton, Flintshire.

Detective Superintendent John Hanson, who is leading the investigation for North Wales Police, renewed his appeal for witnesses. He said anyone who was in and around the area of the disused quarry at any time last weekend should come forward with any information they may have.

He added: "I have already spoken about the extent and scope of the examinations and searches taking place and the resources involved in the search to find Catherine. Those searches will continue into this evening and throughout the weekend. We will do all that is conceivably possible to find Catherine and return her to her family. That remains our priority." Anyone who can help the inquiry should call North Wales Police on 101, Mr Hanson said.

Earlier Mr Hanson said there were "extensive" police resources dedicated to the search for Ms Gowing and forensic examination of her car. Police dog teams and underwater search officers were involved, he said. He also said specialist search teams were examining two other locations in North Wales which have not been identified.

Ms Gowing, who is originally from Clonlee, Co Offaly, in the Irish Republic, had worked at Evans Veterinary Practice in Mold for the last 18 months. Practice owner David Evans described her as a "very caring, dear person".